ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Nothing Phone (1)
The Verdict
ASUS ROG Phone 9 dominates as a flagship gaming powerhouse, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, and an exceptional 185Hz LTPO AMOLED display with 2500 nits brightness,ideal for competitive mobile gaming and demanding apps. Its 5800mAh battery, 65W charging, and 8K video recording capability represent cutting-edge performance. Nothing Phone (1) positions itself as a stylish, budget-friendly alternative with solid construction, unique Glyph LED design, and a capable 50MP dual camera setup, though the Snapdragon 778G+ and 120Hz display feel dated by comparison. Battery capacity (4500mAh) and 33W charging lag behind premium standards. For serious gamers and power users, the ROG Phone 9 justifies its $999 price with unmatched performance and 185Hz gaming. Budget-conscious buyers seeking a distinctive design and acceptable daily performance will appreciate the Nothing Phone (1), but the value proposition heavily favors ASUS's gaming-focused flagship.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Phone 9 if…
- →185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- →Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- →5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
Buy the Nothing Phone (1) if…
- →Unique transparent Glyph Interface LED design stands out
- →Clean Nothing OS closely mirrors stock Android
- →Dual 50 MP cameras perform well for the price
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Pros
- 185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- 5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
- AniMe Vision LED dot-matrix display on the back for notifications
- AirTrigger ultrasonic shoulder buttons enhance mobile gaming controls
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g — feels chunky as a daily driver
- 65W charging is slow compared to Chinese gaming phone rivals
- Camera is competent but not flagship-level for the price
- Gaming-focused design is too aggressive for many users
Nothing Phone (1)
Pros
- Unique transparent Glyph Interface LED design stands out
- Clean Nothing OS closely mirrors stock Android
- Dual 50 MP cameras perform well for the price
- Wireless charging included at mid-range pricing
- Solid 120Hz OLED display
Cons
- Snapdragon 778G+ is mid-tier and shows limits
- Glyph notifications are a novelty more than practical
- Only IP53 splash protection
- 33W charging is modest for 2022
- USB-C 2.0 limits transfer speeds
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Nothing Phone (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15 | Android 12 (Nothing OS 1.0) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 193.5 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, transparent glass back with Glyph LED strips |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX906) | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS (Sony IMX766) |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree (Samsung JN1) |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 185Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2500 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 642L |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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